K-State School of Health Sciences

Dr. Barstow is retiring after 30 years. Please sign his ecard if you would like to leave him a note. You can also add a picture!

Happy Retirement, Tom! | Free for All eCards Someone is sharing a Free for All eCard with you: "Happy Retirement, Tom!". Open it to read messages from everyone who contributed.

It’s not to late to support the college for K-State’s Day of Giving!

COLLEGE OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SCIENCES Join me and support K-State's Day of Giving!

Meet Victoria Lopez, a Master's student in Food Science, and she's using tiny microbes to unlock big nutritional potential!

Victoria is wrapping up her thesis on adding value to sorghum — a resilient and vital Kansas crop — through fermentation. Using microbial strategies tailored to specific varieties, her work aims to expand sorghum's use in human food and improve its digestibility. "It’s incredibly rewarding to contribute to developing sustainable, science-based solutions for global nutrition," Lopez noted.

If Lopez had to explain her research to a 5th grader, she would say: "I use tiny, helpful microbes — kind of like the ones in yogurt — to ferment the grain. This process acts like a magic key that unlocks the protein and vitamins, making them easier for our bodies to use."

Victoria's journey at K-State actually started as an undergraduate intern. She fell in love with the campus, the faculty, and Manhattan so deeply that when the opportunity came to return for her Master's, she didn't think twice.

Her village? Her advisor, Dr. Valentina Trinetta, and her lab family. When she needs to recharge, you'll find her hiking local trails or soaking in the beauty of the K-State Gardens.

Her advice to future grad students? "Graduate school is a marathon, not a sprint. Don't compare your journey to others — your 100% looks different every day, so be kind to yourself, keep asking questions, and remember: you are here to learn, not to be perfect."

We're so grateful for you, Victoria! 💜 Happy Graduate Student Appreciation Week!

Want to help us win additional funding? Comment on this post from Kansas State University and tag the K-State College of Health and Human Sciences to help us win additional funding!

It’s time for our first K-State Day of Giving challenge 💜

I support K-State because ______. Drop your “why” in the comments + tag the unit you want to support. The most-tagged unit wins $750 in bonus funds!

Please join our panel discussion on Thursday. If you can't attend in person, the zoom link is: https://ksu.zoom.us/j/94040957471?from=addon

We’re looking for volunteers to join a new clinical study that aims to improve understanding of how preeclampsia affects brain health beyond delivery. By participating, you’re contributing to research that could shape future care and make a real difference for others.

What to expect:

A simple screening process

Clear information every step of the way

A chance to support meaningful scientific progress

If you’re interested in learning more or seeing whether you qualify, scan the QR code below or reach out to Sarah Fenn at [email protected]. Even sharing this post helps the research reach more people.

Thank you for being part of something bigger!

We hope everyone enjoys their winter break!

The School of Health Sciences is proud to partner with Stormont Vail.